Electrical connector



l. L. AUERBACH ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR June 13, 1950 Filed Sept. 27, 1946ISAAC L. AUERBACH maidim 13, 195o stromen. oomc'roa um L. Auerbach,unina sm Navy application september 21, 194s, serial No. mm

' 1 chime `(ci. 11a-32s) (Granted under the lot of March 3, 1883,

amended April 30, 1928; 37| 0. G. 757) This invention relates toelectrical connectors and more particularly to an electrical connectorembodying in one device the advantages oi a terminal strip and theadvantages of a plug connector. Q

Nearly all electrical and electronic apparatus require connection toexternally located apparatus ii it be only the source of electric power.It y is further desired in some types of equipment to have smallsections of the whole removable to facilitate rapid replacement, troubleshooting. and repair. More speciilcally, radio equipment assembled in aconsole is usually composed oi a number oi separate chassis which can beremoved from the console; and in many designs a small section of asingle chassis can be exchanged by simply unplugging i'rom the rest ofthe chassis. In the foregoing examples provisions must be made formaking the required electrical connections between the removable partand its associated equipment. This has usually been accomplished bymulti-conductor cables and plugs joining either at the front of theremovable unit by threaded couplings or at the base in such a mannerthat the plugs are connected by the replace'- ment of the unit. Thereare several disadvantages incident to such connection, the conductorsare not available for test measurements unless the plugs aredisconnected, and then the circuits are not energized. Even with theplugsdisconnected the contacts are difficult to reach and the circuitsdiillcult to trace. Furthermore, in many types of electrical connectorsthere is an undesirable resistance between corresponding contacts. Itwould be an advantage in many types of equipment to disconnect onecircuit from another located on the same chassis without unsoldering orunscrewing a number of terminals.

It is an object of this invention to provide an electrical terminalstrip which may be joined with a similar terminal strip to constitute anelectrical connector.

It is another object of this invention to provide pairs o1 connectableterminal strips having very low contact resistance yet easily connectedor disconnected.

It is another object of this invention to provide pairs of connectableelectrical terminal .strips with solderless connections having theelectrical and physical isolation characteristics of solderedconnections.

It is another object of this invention to provide pairs of connectableelectrical terminal strips which may be manufactured with someaccommodate no more than a lesser number of,i y*

conductors as a means oi lsaving space and eliminating unused terminals.f

It is another object oi this invention to provide pairs of connectableterminalstrips easily accessible to test leads.

Other objects, advantages and novel aspects of the invention lie incertain details of' construc-l tion as well as the cooperative relationof the component parts and will .be apparent from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, in which similar characters ofreference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is alperspective view o! one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment in Fig. 1 takenthrough any pair of corresponding terminals.

Fig. 3 is a partially out away perspective view of another embodimentoi' the invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment in Fig. 3 takenthrough any pair of co responding terminals.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view oi a device for mechanically engaging ordisengaging the embodiments in thepreceding iigures.

Briey, this invention provides pairs of terminal strips which can bejoined together and 'which may be simply constructed from flat'insulating blocks, preferably molded to a desirable shape, eachsupporting an equal number of metal springs, each metal spring providinga contact surface for a terminal, and in addition, engaging acorresponding metal spring from the other block upon the joiningtogether of said pair of blocks. Thus a means Vof plug-in connectionbetween terminal strips is provided.

The invention may be better understood by reference to Fig. 1 in detail,which shows a pern spective View of one embodiment of the invention asseen from slightlyV above and to one side. Two insulating blocks 6 and1' comprise the bulk of the device and should be made of some insulatingmaterial, preferably one of high dielectric that can be molded to theshapes here shown.

, Each block is essentially a long, generally rectangular, strip, thelength being determined by the number of terminals desired. The shape ofthe two blocks departs from the rectangular in the manner shown in thedrawing in order that each may be more suitable for its purpose. 'I'hemale connector terminal block 6 has a nat spring standard number ofterminals and easily cut to le i3 for each terminal. each spring may beat- 3 tached to the block by a sleeve 29 inserted vertically into asuitable hole in the block and having a flange at its upper end toretain said spring. This function will be disclosed more completelybelow in reference to Fig. -il. Upon the inner periphery of said sleeves20 threads may be cut suitable to receive the terminal screws I2. Saidretaining flange of said sleeves 20 is preferably square and sized toclosely flt between the barriers 3 described below so that they cannotturn with the terminal screws I2. Said screws I2 provide a means ofconnecting wires to the ter minal block. The holes provided in the blockfor each sleeve 20 may be used with longer screws I8 to mount saidblock. By using the same holes for mounting, a long block may be cut toany desired length and the'end terminal screw I2 replaced by a mountingscrew I3. The end metal spring I3 could also be removed before insertingthe mounting, screw I8. It ls desirable to mold the block with raisedridges or barriers 8 located transverse the long axis of the blockbetween the terminal screws I2. Said barriers 8 will prevent shortsbetween adjacent terminals that might otherwise be caused by one or moreloose wires or occur during the connection or disconnection of aconductor to a terminal and will further provide a -higher dielectricbetween terminals to improve the voltage rating of the device. Eachmetal spring I3 attached to the male block 6 has sullicient length toprotrude from one edge of the block. It is this side of the male block,6 that is abutted to the female block 1 to electrically connect the twoblocks. When so abutted each spring I3 will penetrate a suitable orificein the female block 1 and engage a second metal spring I mounted on saidfemale block 1. The springs may be made of any suitare similarlyprovided in the abutting surface of the female block 1 to receive theguiding studs I6. Said studs not only guide the male springs into thefemale block but also insure that said springs are inserted into theproper contacts. It should be understood that the embodiments have beenillustrated with three terminals only to simplify disclosure. The blocksmay be made in any length which may easily be cut into shorter lengthsto accommodate the number of terminals desired and the space available.

The cross-sectional View shown in Fig. 2, to which reference is nowmade, is taken transverse to the long dimension of Fig. l, through anypair of corresponding terminal screws I2 and I4. The bloekaffand 1 arehere shown almost completely joiheditogether in order to demonstrate theengaging `oftheir respective springs A I3 and I5. This view illustratesthe height relation of the barriers 3 of block and the barriers .3 ofblock 1, and as well, the relative size of the ledge I0 in respect tothe barriers 8 and the lip II in respect to the barriers 9. As shown.the lower or engaging edge of the ledge I0 is chamferred, as is thelower engaging edge of the lip II, thus permitting the blocks to bejoined together without binding or catching. Each hole in the male blockfor the terminal screws I2 is fitted with a metal sleeve 20 threadedupon its inner periphery to receive said screws I2. Each said sleeve 20has a retaining flange at its upper end to hold the spring I3 and ispeened at its lower end to anchor it securely in the block I.

able conducting material preferably of beryllium copper, plated withsilver. The male block 6 and the female block 1 are shown separated inFig. 1, as here shown the male block 6 is shaped so as to have a ledgeI0 projecting from its top. parallel to its base and overhanging theportion of each spring I3 which protrudes from the block. This ledge isdesigned to protect the projecting male springs from contact withforeign objects when the blocks are not joined together. It should benoted that the barriers offer simil-ar protection to the terminalswhether or not the blocks are engaged. Said ledge I0 may also act as aguide for the male springs while the two blocks are being joinedtogether. The female block 1 is in general similar to the male block 6.Each spring I5 is mounted by a flanged-sleeve 2 I threaded for theterminal screws I4, and the same holes can be used for the mountingscrews Il as for the terminal screws I4. However, the metal springs I5are curved at one end as will be more clearly indicated below inreference to Flg. 2. These terminals are also separated by barriers 9,the tops of said barriers 3 at the abutting side of said block 1 arejoined by a retaining lip II so as to leave a suitable orifice betweeneach pair of barriers for the insertion of the male spring I3. Thebarriers l of block 3 are higher than the barriers 9 of block 1, theheight relationship being such that the lower surface of the ledge IIIon block i will pass over the upper surface of the lip II of block 1when the two blocks are joined together. A guiding stud may be projectedoutwardly and normal to the abutting surface of the male block 8 beyondthe ends of the spring contacts I3 about every half dozen terminals.Suitable holes The threaded sleeve is preferred to a threaded hole inthe block, it being simpler to add a threaded sleeve than cut threads inthe block and the threads so obtained are more durable. The portion ofthe female -contact spring II which resides under the lip II is curvedso thatthe center of its curvature presses against the underside of thesaid retaining lip. This pressure insures a good contact with thecorresponding male spring and keeps contact surface of the said femalespring clean when the blocks are .not joined together. The curvaturebrings the end of the spring back down to the surface of the block sothat upon insertion, the male spring I3 will pass between the femalespring I5 and the lip I I and not catch against the leading edge of saidfemale spring I5, or go beneath. The screws I4 of the female block 1screw into metal sleeves -identical to the sleeves 20 used in connectionwith the male block 3.

Referring to Fig. 3, another embodiment of 4 the invention is showndiffering from Fig. 1 only in the shape of the blocks and the use of twofemale springs instead of one. In this embodiment the male block 22 hasno ledge projecting above the male springs I3 but the block itselfprojects below the male springs. Sufficient clearance is providedbetween the block and the projecting springs for the lower female spring23. The barriers 24 of the male block 22 are similar to those of Fig. lexcept they are not joined together at the top. The female block 23 mayhave two abutting surfaces in this embodiment. the lower one may abutthe portion of the male block projecting below the springs, the upperone abuts the barriers 24 of the male block so that the material of theblock rather than all is the insulation medium between the springs. Saidupper abutting surface is the end of a ledge 28 projecting from thebarriers 25 of the female block and overhanging the projecting ends ofthe female springs 21 and 2l. It may be observed l in `1"lg.3 that saidledge II includes) molectionofthefemalebarrierssoastosnclosesaidfemslespringsl'landuponthreesides. Grooves corresponding to theprojections of said ban'iersareshownintheportlonofmaleblock 22projecting belowtheinsertable end ofthemale springs i3, and upon Joiningof the blocks said -othersaidplatform,manipulatingthailandia33' grooveswill receive the lower edges of the prov Jections of said barriers 25.By means of said barrier projections fitting in said grooves.' adlelectric better than air is provided between the different springswhen the blocks are Joined. The lower female spring 23 rides upon thepro- Jection of block 22 when the block are engaged to increase thecontact pressure of the springs. The female springs are preferably apair of similarly curved metal springs. fiat at one en d through which ahole may be made for mounting same with the terminal screw i4. Saidsprings2land23aremountedbacktobackso that they press against each otherat the center of their curvatures. The male spring I3 inserts betweensaid female springs upon the joining of the two blocks 22 and 23.

The layout of the metal springs used in the second embodiment may bemore easily understood from the cross-sectional view in Fig. 4, to whichreference is now made. The male and female block are here partiallyjoined to demonstrate the engaging of the springs. It will be noted thatthe female springs 21 and 23 fit snugly between the lower projection ofthe male block 22 and the upper projection 25 of the female block 23.This insures a firm contact with the inserted male spring I3. The upperprojecting ledge 25 has a bead 23 along the lower edge of its abuttingsurface between the barrier projections. This bead 29 permits insertionof the male spring i3 without binding or catching. The relativedimensions of the barriers 24 and 25, the blocks 22 and 23, and theprojecting ledge 25 are more clearly indicated in this figure. Thepressure between the female springs 21 and 28 keeps them clean when theblocks are not joined. Also, the insertion of the metal spring makes along wiping contact which further cleans the contact surfaces. Theseconnectors have been found by measurement to oder a contact resistanceof the order of .0008 ohm.

Fig. 5 shows a device which may be used to connect and disconnect a pairof terminal connectors such as exemplified in the rst four figures.'I'he use of this device would liken the invention to a multi-polesingle throw knife switch. The device operates with a movable platform34, having pins 31 protruding laterally one each from two side members39 and 43 of the said movable platform 34. Said pins are engaged inelongated slots 38 at the ends of the U-shaped handle 33. Said' U-shapedhandle 33 may be pivoted .upon its parallel members. Said parallelmembers are pivotable mounted by means such as rivets 36 to a pair ofstanchlons 3| and 32 suitably mounted vertically-upon opposite sides ofa base plate 30. Moving said handle 33 counterclockwise about its pivots36 will slide the movable platform 34 to the right along the base plate30. A stationary platform is mounted on the right side of the base plate30. Moving the handle 33 as described slides the movable platform 34toward the stationary platform 35. Both said platforms are equipped withsuitable holes to accommodate the mounting screws i8 and I3 of a pairoi.' terminal connector blocks as shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 3. By

soonesampnuormmdtnsfemletmwme will engage or disengage the springcontacts of the said blocks. Aligning rods, 4I are suitably mounted inthe vertical side members of the statlonaryplattormandheldinplacebysetscrews 42. Said rods 4i are of a suitable length to penetratelongitudinal holes 43 in the vertical side members 33 and 43 of themovable platform 34 and thus prevent any nt of contacts upon theengaging of a pair of connector terminal blocks mounted upon saidplatforms 34 and 35.

Although only limited and specific embodiments of the present inventionhave been shown and described, it may be modified without departing fromthe principles thereof and any such modifications, are, therefore,deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector comprising a pair of generally rectangularshaped insulating blocks, a first multiplicity of flat metallic springlike con tact members disposed at equal intervals along the longitudinalaxis in transverse relation thereto of one of said blocks, and a secondmultiplicity of metallic spring like contact members similarly disposedin transverse relation with respect to the longitudinal axis of theother of said blocks, the contact members associated with one of theblocks being so formed as to electrically engage the correspondingcontact members of the other of said blocks on abutment of thecorresponding longitudinal sides of said blocks, each of said contactmembers having a portion thereof exposed for external electricalconnection, a transverse raised rib like portion separating adjacentcontact members of each of said blocks, and a longitudinal retainingmember integral with one end of each said rib like portion on said otherblock and disposed over the engaging end of the contact members of saidother block.

2. An electrical connector comprising; a pair of generally rectangularinsulating blocks, a nrst plurality of exposed electrical terminalsdisposed at equal intervals along the longitudinal axis of one of saidinsulating blocks, a second plurality of exposed electrical terminalsdisposed in a similar manner on the other of said insulating blocks, arst plurality of flat metallic spring like contact members eachassociated with one of said rst plurality of electrical terminals andextending transversely lbeyond one longitudinal side of said one of saidblocks, a second plurality of flat metallic spring like contact memberseach associated with one of said second plurality of electricalterminals, the contact members associated with one of the blocks beingso formed as to electrically engage the corresponding contact members ofthe other of said blocks on abutment of the corresponding longitudinalsides of said blocks, a transverse'raised rib like portion separatingadjacent contact members on each of said blocks, and a longitudinalretaining member integral with one end of each said rib like portion onsaid other block and disposed over the engaging end of the contactmembers of said other block.

3. An electrical connector comprising a pair of generally rectangularshaped insulating blocks, a

so attaching a pair of said blocks, the male block nrst multiplicity offlat metallic spring like con asians 7 tact members disposed at equalintervals 'along the longitudinal axis in transverse relation thereto oione oi said blocks. said contact members extending beyond onelongitudinal side of said block, and a second multiplicity of metallicspring like contact members similarly disposed in transverse relationwith respect to the longitudinal axis oi' the other oi said blocks, saidsecond multiplicity of contact members being curved at one end andextending at said curved end to one longitudinal edge of said other ofsaid blocks, a multiplicity of transverse rib like portions located oneach of said blocks and arranged to separate the adjacent contactmembers thereon, a connecting means associated with each of said contactmembers, and a longitudinal retaining member integral with one end ofthe rib like portions oi said other of said blocks, said longitudinalretaining member being located over the curved ends of said last namedmultiplicity of contact members and in physical contact therewith.'

whereby a. multiplicity of rectangular openings are provided in thelongitudinal side of said other of said blocks into which said rst namedmultiplicity of contact members oi' said one oi said blocks are adaptedto be inserted upon abutment of the corresponding longitudinal sides ofsaid blocks. v

4. An electrical connector comprising a pair of generally rectangularshaped insulating blocks. a first multiplicity of iiat metallic springlike contact members disposed at equal intervals along the longitudinalaxis in transverse relation thereto ot one of said blocks. said contactmembers extending beyond one longitudinal side of said block, and asecond multiplicity of metallic spring like contact members similarlydisposed in transverse relation with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe other of said blocks, said second multiplicity of contact membersbeing curved at one end and extending at said curved end to onelongitudinal edge of said other of said blocks, a multiplicity oftransverse rib like portions located on each of said blocks and arrangedto separate the adjacent contact members thereon, a connecting meansassociated with each of said contact members, and a longitudinalretaining member integral with one endof the rib like portions of saidother of said blocks, said longitudinal retaining member being locatedover the curved ends of said last named multiplicity of contact membersand in physical contact therewith, whereby a multiplicity`oi!rectangular openings are provided in the longitudinal side of said otherof said blocks into which said iirst named multiplicity of contactmembers of said one of said blocks are adapted to be inserted uponabutment of the corresponding longitudinal sides of said blocks, alongitudinal lip integral with one end of the rib like portions of saidone of said blocks and projecting therefrom over and beyond theextension of said iirst multiplicity of contact members, said lip beingso disposed as to lit over said retaining member upon abutment of saidblocks.

5. An electrical connector comprising a pair of generally rectangularshaped insulating blocks, a. iirst multiplicity of at metallic springlike contact members disposed at equal intervals along the longitudinalaxis in transverse relation thereto of one of said blocks, said contactmembers extending beyond one longitudinal side of said block, and asecond multiplicity of metallic spring like contact members similarlydisposed in transverse relation with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe other of said blocks, said second multiplicity ofcontactmembersbeingcurvedatone endand extending at said curved end toone longitudinal edge of said other of said blocks, a multiplicity oftransverse rib like portions located on each ot said blocks and arrangedto separate the adjacent contact members thereon, a connecting meansassociated with each of said contact members, and a longitudinalretaining member integral with one end oi the rib like portions of saidother oi blocks, said longitudinal retaining member being located overthe curved ends oi said last named multiplicity of contact members andin vphysical contact therewith, whereby a multiplicity ofrectangular-openings are provided in the longitudinal side of said otherot said blocks into which said iirst named multiplicity ot contactmembersv of said one of said blocks are adapted to be inserted uponabutment oi the corresponding longitudinal sides of said blocks. alongitudinal lip integral with one end of the rib like portions of saidone o! said blocks and projecting therefrom over and beyond theextension of said first multiplicity o f contact members. said lip beingso disposed as to iit over said retaining member upon abutment oi saidblocks, -a series oi! guiding rods projecting normal to the abuttingedge of said one oi said blocks and corresponding holes in the abuttingedge of the said other of said blocks suitable to receive said rodswhereby upon abutment of said blocks their respective contact memberscannot be misalisned. A

6. An electrical connector comprising, a pair of generally rectangularshaped insulating blocks, a multiplicity of ilat metallic contactmembers disposed at equal intervals along the longitudinal axis intransverse relation thereto of one of said blocksI a multiplicity ofpairs of metallic spring like contact members similarly disposed on theother of said blocks, each oi.' said pairs of contact members consistingof similar metal strips curved at one end and flat at the other andplaced back to back so that the curved portions of each exerts apressure against the other, a transverse raised rib like portionseparating the adjacent contact .members o! each of said blocks, alongitudinal retaining member integral with one end of each said riblike portion on said other block and disposed over the curved ends ofthe contact members of said other block, corresponding 1ongitudinalsides of said pair of blocks being so shaped that upon abutment of saidsides the said multiplicity of iiat contact members of one of saidblocks will insert between the curved ends ot the said multiplicity ofpairs of contact members oi the other of said blocks.

7. An electrical connector comprising. a pair oi' generally rectangularshaped insulating blocks, a multiplicity of dat metallic contact membersdisposed at equal intervals along the longitudinal axis in transverserelation thereto of the first of said blocks, said iirst block being socut away at the top of one longitudinal edge thereof as to leave one endof said multiplicity of transverse contact members free of said block, amultiplicity of pairs of metallic spring like contact members similarlydisposed on the second of said blocks, each of said pairs of contactmembers consisting of similar metal strips curved at one end and iiat atthe other and placed back to back so that the curved portions of eachexerts a pressure against the other, a transverse raised rib likepogtion separating the adjacent contact members of each of said blocks,said rib like portions on the second of said blocks being elongated soas to extend beyond one longitudinal edge thereof, the

9 extending portions being Joined tgether at their tops so as to enclosesaid pairs of spring like contact members, said contact members alsoextending beyond the same longitudinal edge so as to reside within saidenclosure, a transverse groove extending from each said raised rib onsaid first block along the said cut away portion of said block whichextends below the contact members thereon, whereby said grooves willreceive the lower edges of said rib extensions of said second block uponabutment of said blocks along corresponding longitudinal sides such thatsaid multiplicity of fiat contact members of said irst block will insertbetween the curved ends of said multiplicity oi pairs of metallic springlike contacts of said second block.

ISAAC L. AUERBACH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 20 tileof this patent:

l0 UNITED s'ra'rss PA'I'ENTS Number Number Name Date Cox Sept. 30. 1884Case Jan. 24, 1899 Linke Feb. 20, 1906 Hubbell June 6, 1911 HuddlestonNov. 30, 1915 Kinnard Jan. 2, 1934 Gary July 17, 1934 Newman Feb. 25,1936 Obszarny July 21, 1942 Frank Mar. 2, 1943 Brewer Aug. 10, 1943Gillentine Nov. 4. 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date England Jan. 12,1944

